It had to happen. Three Palestinians dead under Iranian missiles in the West Bank, according to the New York Times. First time since the start of this war that Palestinians have perished in this region — and it's their Iranian "big brother" pulling the trigger. The irony would be delicious if it weren't tragic.
So this is where the geopolitics of "unconditional support" leads us: Iran, self-proclaimed champion of Palestinian resistance, kills Palestinians to strike Israel. Three lives sacrificed on the altar of a regional strategy that never had much to do with the real fate of civilian populations.
The solidarity that kills
Read more: breaking analysis israelsFor decades, Tehran has wrapped itself in the Palestinian flag to justify its hegemonic ambitions in the Middle East. Read more: breaking analysis middle The ayatollahs fund Hamas, arm Hezbollah, and proclaim their solidarity with Palestine's oppressed. But when it comes to striking the Israeli enemy, it doesn't matter who's in the missile trajectory. Palestinians? Acceptable collateral damage in the grand strategy of the axis of resistance.
This logic isn't new. It runs through the entire history of "liberators" who sacrifice those they claim to save. The USSR supported African liberation movements while selling weapons to both sides. The United States defends democracy by bombing civilians. And Iran liberates Palestine by killing Palestinians.
Instrumentalization revealed
What happened today in the West Bank lays bare a truth many prefer to ignore: the Palestinian cause has become a convenient pretext for all regional actors wanting to settle scores with Israel. Tehran isn't fighting for a viable Palestinian state — it's fighting to weaken American and Israeli influence in the region.
Thursday's three deaths prove this cruelly. If Iran truly cared about Palestinians' fate, would its missiles have targeted civilian areas? Would its strategists have calculated that a few Palestinian deaths were an acceptable price for their show of force?
The victimization trap
But there's something even worse. This attack reveals how victimization rhetoric can become a deadly trap. By presenting themselves as eternal victims, Palestinians have attracted "supporters" who instrumentalize them for their own agendas. Iran isn't alone: how many authoritarian regimes have claimed Palestinian justice to divert attention from their own crimes?
The result? A just cause polluted by toxic alliances. How do you build a viable Palestinian state when your main supporters are theocracies that despise democracy? How do you negotiate peace when your "allies" have an interest in perpetuating conflict?
Europe complicit through omission
Meanwhile, Europe continues funding the Palestinian Authority without ever questioning these deadly alliances. Our diplomats denounce Israeli "violations of international law" — rightly so — but close their eyes to Iranian missiles killing the same civilians they claim to protect.
This hypocrisy helps no one, especially not Palestinians. By refusing to clearly condemn all those who instrumentalize them, the West becomes complicit in a system that perpetuates their suffering.
Breaking free from the trap
It's time Palestinians — and their true friends — understand a disturbing truth: some support costs more than it's worth. The alliance with Iran may have brought weapons and money, but it has also discredited the Palestinian cause in the eyes of many Arab countries drawing closer to Israel.
Thursday's three deaths aren't martyrs of resistance. They're victims of geopolitical cynicism that sacrifices peoples on the altar of national ambitions. Their blood should remind everyone — Palestinians, Iranians, Israelis, Europeans — that no cause, however just, justifies killing those you claim to defend.
True solidarity with Palestinians begins with rejecting these poisoned alliances. It demands saying no to "liberators" who kill in freedom's name. Three lives too many for a lesson we should have learned long ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Iran kill Palestinians in the West Bank?
Iran killed three Palestinians in the West Bank as part of its military strategy against Israel, despite claiming to support Palestinian resistance. This incident highlights the tragic irony of Iran's actions, where Palestinians become collateral damage in a broader geopolitical conflict.
Q: How does Iran justify its actions towards Palestinians?
Iran justifies its actions by portraying itself as a champion of Palestinian resistance while simultaneously using the Palestinian cause to further its own hegemonic ambitions in the Middle East. This has led to a situation where the lives of Palestinians are sacrificed for Iran's regional strategy.
Q: What does the recent incident reveal about Iran's intentions?
The incident reveals that Iran's support for Palestine is often a pretext for settling scores with Israel rather than a genuine commitment to Palestinian statehood. It underscores a troubling pattern where regional actors exploit the Palestinian cause for their own geopolitical goals.